Santa Fe Woman by Laura Stapleton

Author:Laura Stapleton
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2018-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The early morning rustle of the fort waking up stirred Patrick from his sleep. Groggy from a rare good, if unexciting, dream, he rubbed his eyes and sat up. Anger-tinged sadness settled over him like the fog blanketing the dewy grass. Isaac’s comments last night irritated him, but Rachel’s responses had hurt.

He sat up, the straw tick mattress thin under him. A bed beat the ground every time. He began rolling up his bedding before dressing. While he straightened up his area, he grinned. Isaac’s eyes had grown bigger and bigger as Rachel counted. He hadn’t known about the money, apparently, and Patrick would have loved to have been there for the conversation about her deception.

Still, his heart hurt over her thinking he’d steal from anyone, never mind her. Patrick stepped out of the room while the other officers slept. He’d adored Rachel when she sewed for him and more so every time they met. But now? He fastened the last button at the top of his shirt. He still cared for her, but with feelings far more guarded than before her comments.

Lambert snapped to attention as he approached. “Good morning, sir. We’re finishing breakfast and will be ready to go whenever you say.”

His stomach growled. “Save any for me?”

He glanced back at Jenkins, who nodded. Patrick grinned as the cook dished him up a plate. “Thank you. I like Rogers’ cooking better than any mess hall.”

“Good deal, sir. I might not mention your preference to Molly. She’ll come out here to tan your hide personally.”

Patrick chuckled and settled in with his food. He didn’t waste any time eating. “Are the Stewarts ready to go?”

The two men exchanged glances before Lambert said, “We haven’t seen either of them this morning.”

Patrick nodded. They might still be asleep or even gone. Slinking away from embarrassment would be the coward’s way to go. While he didn’t think either Stewart would choose to run and hide, after last night’s accusations he wouldn’t bet on anything with those two. “Very well. I’ll check on them myself.”

Jenkins took his plate before Patrick walked away. The newer buildings of Fort Larned glistened in the sunrise. He breathed in deep and enjoyed the crisp air. He’d be happy if Fort Dodge was even half as good as Larned.

The siblings’ wagon lay ahead with no signs of activity. Even the fire was out. As he approached he said, “Mr. Stewart? Miss Stewart? Anyone here?” He walked up to find the horse gone, too. Irritated at the lack of response, he peered into the wagon bed. “Hello?”

Rachel was alone and snuggled in a quilt. She stirred in her sleep with a little snort and his anger melted away. Most of it did, anyway. He still frowned at her harsh words, but looking at her now healed some of the hurt. She smiled while dreaming. He wondered how someone so beautiful could be so mean. He’d never given her one reason to doubt his word and an officer’s word was his bond.

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